Kenny Vaccaro

Despite two disappointing preceding seasons, Vaccaro finally broke out as an IDP in 2015, surpassing triple-digit tackles (as well as 80 tackles) for the first time while earning three sacks. It's pro...

After a promising rookie campaign, Vaccaro regressed in his sophomore season, including, at one point, being benched by the Saints' coaching staff. Still, for fantasy purposes, his numbers remained remarkably consistent, as he recorded 74 tackles (51 solo), a sack, and two interceptions in 15 games. This offseason it was revealed that Vaccaro played through a hamstring injury and two quad tears last year, which might help to explain his disappointing season. While durability is beginning to become a concern - as he also suffered a concussion and fractured ankle in 2013 - he has still only missed three total games the last two seasons. If Vaccaro can remain relatively healthy and cut down on his mistakes, he could be in for a huge season in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's aggressive scheme.

2014

Vaccaro's rookie season was a disappointment in IDP terms, as a concussion, a fractured ankle and the Saints' league-low play count of 943 snaps conspired to keep Vaccaro's stat-count low, but he was quite effective in real football terms. He was a big reason why the Saints allowed just 6.8 yards per pass last year, so he'll be locked into a full-time play count once again in 2013. Between the possibility of a 16-game season and the probability that the Saints will see more defensive snaps, Vaccaro is a strong bet to improve on the 79 tackles (62 solo), one sack and one interception he posted as a rookie last year. Free agent signing Jairus Byrd is mostly a pure free safety, leaving Vaccaro to handle the majority of the strong safety tasks, which puts him in position to post the higher tackle total between the two.

2013

Some might consider it risky to rank a rookie among the elite, but it's difficult to see how Vaccaro could be anything but a high-floor/high-ceiling IDP investment in 2013. The Saints are desperate to improve their abominable 2012 defense, yet they had only two draft picks in the first three rounds of the draft. That they considered Vaccaro the top choice for making an immediate improvement suggests he'll start right away in 2013. He might not strictly play safety – a slot corner role could await him in nickel formats – but Vaccaro should be around the ball often either way. Moreover, the player Vaccaro is most likely to displace in the starting lineup – Malcolm Jenkins – was a profitable IDP in 2012, totaling 94 tackles in just 13 games.